Big Sky Coal Mine - A Mine-Site Study of Benefits and Costs of Reclaiming Surface-Mined Land in the West. Part III

摘要

The benefit-cost ratio of western coal reclamation is examined. Rising prices of imported crude oil have spurred significant expansion of western coal production to increase domestic sources of energy. This in turn has raised concerns about environmental impacts with resultant state laws requiring reclamation of mined land. Standard benefit-cost analysis studies provide insight into the absolute and relative size of benefits and costs of reclaiming surface mined western coal land using a case study of the Big Sky Mine in southeast Montana. This report presents the project's rationale, problems, and objectives. Several analyses of benefits and costs of reclamation are reviewed. The environment at Big Sky Mine is described and the laws and regulations affecting the mine are cited. Procedures and costs of reclamation at the mine are discussed, and the valuation methodologies of outdoor recreation and recreational benefits are examined and estimated. Benefits and costs are compared with respect to both priority and social benefits. The summary, conclusion, and implications of the research are presented.